Page 128 of Lassoed Love

Isla looks around before saying, “Uh—”

I cut her off, “Hold on, wait,” and jump up to run upstairs to my room. Little Henry, the Italian greyhound from Isla’s clinic, has been resting there in his fluffy bed. Katy had dropped him off this afternoon with all his essentials. I had even ordered a new collar from the local pet shop to match Luna and Buddy’s, personalised with his name and a message on the back.

As I return to the living room, I carry the carefully wrapped gift in hand—well, it’s more like just a blanket draped over little Henry. Thank goodness the little fella is quiet.

As Isla catches sight of Henry resting in my arms, shock etches across her face. “Henry? Is that Henry? My Henry?” she sputters out, her voice filled with disbelief. I can’t help but smile at her reaction.

“Surprise,” I say, my tone filled with warmth. “I thought our family needed a new little addition, so I signed some paperwork and he's now yours, well, ours. He’s already made the best of friends with Old Bud and Lu.”

A collective‘awww’escapes from the women in the room as Isla launches herself at me, giving me a tight hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she exclaims, her voice choked with emotion.

“He has a permanent home now!”

As Henry now rests in her arms, Isla starts nuzzling him, introducing him to everyone, while also mentioning his dysplasia. “This is the best Christmas gift ever. Honestly, Xav,” she says, her eyes sparklingwith joy. Little does she know that this wasn’t the actual gift I had planned to give her.

Amelia, who has now moved closer to the girls, stands next to Isla, pointing out Henry’s collar. “Oh look, it’s personalised! How cute!” she exclaims.

“Xav, this is perfect,” she murmurs.

“Look at the back of it,” I say, and as Isla does, engrossed in reading the two words I had engraved on the back, I drop down to one knee.

As I read the words engraved on the back—Marry me?—my heart skips a beat.

My eyes widen in surprise, and I look up to see Xavier, down on one knee, a small velvet box in his hand, open to reveal a beautiful ring—a gold platinum band holds a brilliant diamond, surrounded by smaller ones that, together, form a delicate, sparkling flower. The sight takes my breath away, and I find myself frozen in surprise and awe. Tears well up in my eyes as I realise what is happening.

“Xavier,” I breathe, my voice filled with emotion. As I process what is happening in front of me, with everyone still standingaround us, audible gasps fill the air.

I hear Harrison call out, ‘Holy fuck!’ and a chorus of ‘awwws’ coming from Olivia and Imogen. The moment is surreal, like a scene from a dream. I adjust Henry in my arms. In that unexpected moment, surrounded by gasps, Xavier locks eyes with me.

“Isla Thompson, you’re everything I ever wished for, if not more,” he declares, the sincerity in his voice ringing through the silent air.

As Xavier speaks, his words are like a floodgate opening, washing over me with a mix of emotions. “Xav, I—” I gasp.

My breath catches in my throat as I try to find the words to respond, but Xavier continues, cutting off my attempts.

“Two months ago, I stood by your side while you dealt with the impossible,” he reveals, and my heart skips a beat. “Two months ago, when your dad woke from his coma, he shared a few words with me.”

“W-what? When?” I gasp, trying to process this new information.

“After they brought your father in from his MRI, he was awake. You had stepped outside to talk with the nurse,” Xavier explains gently.

“I spoke to him. Told him I wanted to marry you. He spoke only for a second, Isla, nodding his head. He’d said, ‘You have my blessing, son,’and—” Xavier’s voice falters, tears welling up in his eyes. I’m stunned. This man, usually so composed and serious, is tearing up in front of my eyes, and my heart aches for him, yearning for him.

I choke out a sob. “Xav, oh my god.”

He continues, his voice filled with love and admiration, “Isla, you are the strongest person I know. You inspire not just me, but everyonearound you, every single day. You are everything I dreamed of, if not more. I just knew, from all those years ago, and it’s something I can’t explain.”

He had asked my father for his blessing.The realisation hits me like a tidal wave, memories flooding back of my father’s last words to Xavier that day.

“I know we didn’t get off to a good start back in school,” he confesses, his voice brimming with sincerity.

“And I know we haven’t been together for that long, and that we still have so many things to learn about each other, but I couldn't give a damn. We have forever—the rest of our lives to spend learning about each other. Please give me that second chance to prove to you that I am no longer that young, immature prick from high school.”

This earns a snort from the boys, and a smack, followed by an ‘ow’ from Harrison, but I don’t bother to turn back and look. My gaze is locked on Xavier’s, his tear-filled eyes boring into mine. Love pours from him, emanating an aura that is so magnetic. His words echo in my heart, reassuring me that our journey is just beginning.

“I love you. Marry me, Isla. Because there is nothing I want more in this world than to spend the rest of my life with you. Please, say you’ll be my wife.” His words hang in the air, and I’m overwhelmed with love and gratitude, my heart overflowing with emotion.

As tears stream down my face, I feel Imogen’s presence from behind me. She places a hand on my shoulder, and I take her hand in mine, placing it atop of hers.

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